State papers: Tom King stormed out on SDLP

NI Secretary Tom King

December 28 2018 07:00 AM

A 1988 meeting between the SDLP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Tom King over devolution descended into a row that saw the minister walk out, state papers claimed.

The meeting, held in March, was described by John Hume to Irish official Declan O Donovan as "very bad" despite "upbeat reports" in the media.

Mr O Donovan said Hume briefed him after the meeting took place days earlier.

"Hume described the meeting as 'very bad' and the SDLP delegation as 'shell shocked' - so much so that they opted out of a briefing on today's education document'," Mr O Donovan wrote to his colleague Dermot Gallagher.

"Hume said his side felt King was 'threatening' and trying to 'bounce' them into support for devolution. He did not appear to accept or understand the SDLP strategy proposed to him.

"(Austin) Currie began to ask a question but was cut short by King who stood up and said 'that's it' and rapidly left the room."